Automatic ventilator



June 28, 1949. G. J. SMITH 2,474,760

AUTOMATIC VENTILATOR Filed March 29, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Elma/whom I June 28, 1949. G, J, SMITH 2,474,760

AUTOMATIC VENTILATOR Filed March 29, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 28, 1949 umrsp PATENT or 2,474,760

AUTOMATIC VENT-ILATOR.

George J. Smith,"Tlirndike, Mass. Application March 29, Hid-Serial No. 657,956

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to window ventilator devices, and more particularly to a thermostatically controlled ventilator unit for windows.

A main object of "the invention is to provide a novel and improved window ventilator unit 'of very simplevconstruction which is very easy to install and is automatic in operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved automatic ventilator unit for wincows, saidhriit being inexpensive to manufacture, eflicient in operation'and'of durable construction.

Further objects and advantages of the invention willbecome apparent from the follow"- ingdescription and claimyand from the accompanyirig drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 a front -elevational view of a "win dow ventilator unit constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the ventilator unit of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 44 of Figure 3.

Referring to the drawings, ll designates a housing which comprises a rectangular front panel [2 to which is secured a generally rectangular frame l3 defining a box-like enclosure. The lower wall M of frame I3 is sloped in accordance with the slope of a window sill so that the housing H may be supported thereon in vertical position.

Front panel B2 is formed with a large rectangular aperture, and hinged to said panel is a screened closure member I5 adapted to normally cover the aperture, a spring l6 connecting the upper portion of the frame of closure member IE to the top wall of frame l3 to thereby bias closure member 15 toward its closed position.

Pivotally mounted in the sidewalls of frame [3 and extending horizontally across the rear portion of the box-like enclosure are a plurality of vertically spaced shaft members, three shaft members [1, l8 and [9 being shown by way of example, it being understood that any desired number of such shaft members may be employed Within the spirit of the present invention Each shaft member carries rigidly secured thereto a transparent shutter member 20 of Lucite or the like, the adjacent edges of the shutter members 20 overlapping in the manner shown in Figure 3 so that when the shutter members are in depressed positions they form a substantially closed rear wall for the box-like enclosure.

Externally of frame .13 .at one side thereof. the projec'ting endrofsha'ft llhas an arm .2-l

ber 2 said bar member being. connected .to.

panel l2 by a spring i25'to thereby bias-s'hafts i l, l8 and it toward positions corresponding to the closing positions of shutter members (21L.

Secured to the rear portion of the top wall of frame it is a vertically. adjustable P-shaped bracket member .216 andmoun'ted in the looped portion of ,s'eiid 'P shapedfbracket member is a merino-sensitive capsule '21, the upper end of the capsule being adjustably secured to the top arm of said bracket member. Aligned with the axis of said capsule 21 and secured tothe lower arm of the loop of the bracket member is a depending sleeve 28 and slidably passing through said lower am and slidably engaging said sleeve is an axial push rod 29 secured to the lower end of capsule member 21. Push rod 29 is of the flexible type and passes through a suitable flexible sheath 30, the upper end of which is secured to the lower end of sleeve 28. The lower end of push rod 29 is a-djustably secured to an arm 31 which is rigidly secured to shaft l9. It is readily apparent that when capsule 21 dilates due to an increase in ambient temperature, which causes the pressure of a suitable gas contained inside the capsule to increase, the push rod 29 moves downwardly and rocks arm 3| and the linkage including arms 2|, 22 and 23 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 2. This rotates the shutters 20 to open positions, the degree of opening depending upon the ambient temperature to which capsule 21 is exposed.

Positioned in the rear portion of the box-like enclosure defined by frame I3 is a first vertically spaced series of horizontal baflle plates 32 presenting outwardly convex surfaces and extending across the box-like enclosure between the side walls of frame l3. Positioned rearwardly of plates 32 and staggered with respect thereto is a second vertically spaced series of horizontal baflle plates 33 presenting concave surfaces toward baffle plates 32 and similarly extending between the walls of frame l3. The baflle plates 32 and 33 are preferably made of transparent plastic material such as Lucite or the like. Said baffle plates provide a tortuous path for air moving past shutters 20 through the box-like enclosure and aid in filtering out dust, yet have sufflcient transparency to allow a substantial amount of light to be transmitted through them.

The screen closure l5 provides protection against the admission of insects through the ventilator unit.

In use, the ventilator unit is positioned on a window-sill with screened closure l5 facing outwardly and the lower edge of the lower sash of the window resting on the top wall of frame l3. Thermostatic capsule 21 is exposed to the ambient temperature of the room and is adjusted so that if the room temperature rises above a predetermined value the shutters 20 will be automatically opened by the dilation of the capsule by an amount corresponding to the degree of temperature elevation of the room temperature above said predetermined value.

Due to the transparency of the shutters 20 and the baffle plates 32 and 33, an appreciable amount of light is transmitted through the ventilator even when the shutters 20 are tightly closed.

While a specific embodiment of an automatic window ventilator device has been disclosed in the foregoing description it will be understood that various modifications Within the spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore it is intended that no limitations be placed on the invention other than as defined by the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

An automatic window ventilator comprising a box-like frame adapted. to be mounted in a window opening of a room, a screened front closure for said frame, means hingedly connecting said screen to said frame, spring means biasing said screen toward a closed position, a plurality of transparent shutters, means pivotally mounting said shutters on vertically-spaced horizontallydisposed axes extending across an intermediate portion of said frame inwardly of said screen, said shutters being adapted to overlap each other when in closed positions to form a substantially closed and transparent wall for said frame, means linking said shutters together for simultaneous movement, means inwardly of said room for opening and closing said shutters, a plurality of stationary transparent baflle plates mounted rearwardly of said shutters and extending across said frame, alternate ones of said baffle plates being oppositely curved and overlapping each other in spaced relation, and spring means operatively connected to said shutters and biasing the same toward a closed position.

GEORGE J, SMITH.

REFERENCES CITED The following referenlces are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 547,356 Pancoast Oct. 1, 1895 997,947 Baldwin et a1 July 18, 1911 1,358,193 Fulton Nov. 9, 1920 1,488,345 Jenkins Mar. 25, 1924 2,012,527 Batchelder, Jr Aug. 27, 1935 2,074,024 Phail Mar. 16, 1937 2,117,529 Wile et al. May 17, 1938 2,354,466 Levinsen July 25, 1944 

